What Changes Would You Like to See Made to Project14?

Maybe we could differentiate between some formats on Project14 with different names and these formats would help inspire participation? Currently we work with a theme to make something that is loosely related but we could also have theme agnostic months. For instance, different formats could consist of the following, although we have sort of done some of these just without the additional format branding:

Project14 - Our Choice (as voted in a previous poll). This is the current format and anyone is free to participate along the selected theme name as we currently do.

Project14 - Lucky Bag (as I mentioned above). Those that apply get sent a low-cost bag of pre-selected parts to build what they can from. We move away from a set theme so anything could be built using those parts.

Project14 - Two Up. Again no theme but the project is built in collaboration between two or more members. May need a way for prospective participants to sign up and list skills or project ideas as Jive isn't great for linking up to people initially.

Project14 - Mentor. No theme but would suit an intake of students who could be paired up with a mentor. The student builds the project but with guidance from the mentor. Would also need some way for each to list skills and willingness to participate.

That's just a few to explain the idea how formats could make the existing scheme continue whilst being different. With some stylist graphics each format could really stand out and depending on uptake you'd know which were popular and which to never repeat

These are some really great ideas.   What I am wondering though is do some of these warrant a different program or are there other areas of the community that it would make sense to place things under?   Or,  would these be separate activities that we have scattered throughout the year and let them separately evolve as to how long they last?

Based on this conversation here are my takeaways:

• Launch Themes Every Other Month or Keep them Monthly? - Monthly themes (a different theme every month) sets the right pace and variety. Do not change.
• Shorter Contests or Longer Contests?  -  2 months is the ideal time to not only order parts if you need to but to produce something decent.   Do not change.
• If we have fewer contests Is there Stuff We Can Do In-Between?  - It would be cool to have occasional activities that center around workshops, weekend builds, novices/beginners, mentors/build-alongs, bag of parts /experimenting with low-cost parts, team builds.  No member left behind.  New initiative.
• How Can We Make It Easier For More People to Participate?  -  Not an issue. there are no commitments, no applications, relaxed atmosphere, island of creativity, and Freedom. Do Not Change.
• Should We have Bigger Prizes?  - Occasionally would be ok as could lead to bigger and complex builds.   Something we already do.  Do not change.
• Should we have a giveaway before we launch every contest?  - Giveaway not the right word, projects for project proposals.   Instead of bigger prize we could encourage comments on the monthly theme doc by having members list parts from our stores and sponsor their project and they can build their projects using the parts in their proposal.  New initiative.
• Most Importantly How Do We Make These More Fun?  -  Project14 is already awesome.   Do not change.  

I have a better idea of what we're looking for.  I will propose that instead of bigger prizes we have more opportunities to win parts from our stores (keep this product focused) and more badges (and how about handing out the existing badges?) is definitely an area in need of improvement.

One key to a vibrant forum is high tempo content additions. If you are looking for a new higher tempo program, how about this....

• element14 decides on a prize (shopping cart or some kit like an Arduino nano)
• members suggest topics in the comments that they would be willing to do a project on for the prize
• members select "Like" for any of the suggestions that they would definitely create a project for
• after 2 days, the topic suggestion with the most "Likes" becomes the topic for the contest
• If there are fewer than some defined number of Likes, the project does not go forward, or multiple topics could be included in the contest.
• the projects are due 6 weeks later

This provides a pretty good idea how many projects will be submitted, and names of those who "Liked" are known.

This format allows element14 to spawn a new contest anytime they detect a lull in activity or when they want to boost activity or possibly when they want to promote a new product.

So if this is attractive, what might this program be called?

"Element 14 Quickfire" ?

"Element 14 Quickfire" ?